Who We Are Exclusive: The least-watched shows on free to air television

Wednesday May 9, 2007 04:08 PM

Who We Are

This week's forum is now a heritage item - worth studying but no longer current. For the latest on Australian attitudes and media trends, go to blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

To discuss if Avatar promotes the worship of Baal, go to The Tribal Mind.
To nominate the buzz words of 2010, go to Who We Are.

The ratings race, updated 10 am Sunday
So this is why the big networks were given new digital stations -- so Channel Seven could show AFL matches from 1995 and Channel Nine could show My Gym Partner is a Monkey and Channel Ten could show repeats of replays of US college basketball. Read the bottom of the OzTAM chart (below) and never complain again about lack of choice.

Talking about small numbers, this was Pay TV's account of itself for the week: "Interest and viewership in the domestic Twenty20 cricket competition continues to grow with viewing levels regularly reaching near record levels. As an example, last Sunday's coverage of WA vs Victoria, Live: Cricket: Twenty20 Big Bash on FOX Sports, drew 216,000 people and the rain-affected NSW/Queensland game on Wednesday night was watched by 210,000 viewers. In other sport, Live: Football: A-League Perth v Sydney was seen by 76,000 people and the Saturday A-League game between Melbourne and Perth was watched by 65,000 people (all on FOX Sports).

"In entertainment programming, the new season of American Idol began with 140,000 people watching American Idol Auditions on Wednesday night and 126,000 viewers witnessed former Rabbitohs player Garth Wood win the finale of Live: The Contender Australia. The Inspector Lynley Mysteries on UKTV had its best result of the past year with 106,00 viewers, Taggart on 13th Street was watched by 87,000 people and 87,000 watched Location, Location, Location on Lifestyle Channel. Heartbeat premiered on UKTV with 71,000 people, How I met Your Mother on Arena had its best ever result with 71,000 viewers and similarly Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan on Bio. had its best result with 69,000 people viewers.

Subscription TV channels won the third week of 2010 with 25.9% of all metropolitan viewing between 6am and midnight, 22.8% of all regional viewing and 62.7% of all viewing in subscription TV homes."

What Australia watched, and didn't, week ending January 16
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,266,000 290,000 325,000 300,000 148,000 202,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,206,000 318,000 365,000 208,000 142,000 173,000
3 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,197,000 238,000 466,000 197,000 195,000 101,000
4 COASTWATCH Seven 1,192,000 249,000 348,000 293,000 143,000 159,000
5 MIDSOMER MURDERS RPT ABC1 1,145,000 284,000 317,000 238,000 149,000 157,000
6 NINE NEWS Nine 1,142,000 300,000 395,000 232,000 108,000 108,000
7 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,128,000 299,000 325,000 210,000 133,000 161,000
8 BORDER PATROL-SUN Seven 1,128,000 241,000 316,000 282,000 123,000 166,000
9 BONES (R) Seven 1,068,000 246,000 269,000 259,000 153,000 141,000
10 MIGHTY SHIPS: BECRUX Seven 1,037,000 247,000 236,000 267,000 128,000 159,000
11 BORDER PATROL-MON Seven 1,029,000 286,000 263,000 222,000 120,000 138,000
12 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,028,000 281,000 271,000 207,000 114,000 155,000
13 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,028,000 259,000 368,000 210,000 85,000 106,000
14 THE MENTALIST -RPT Nine 1,021,000 288,000 302,000 192,000 128,000 110,000

15 DESTROYED IN SECONDS Seven 995,000 275,000 252,000 201,000 124,000 144,000
16 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 984,000 292,000 332,000 180,000 104,000 76,000
17 ABC NEWS ABC1 973,000 251,000 306,000 169,000 104,000 144,000
18 SURVIVOR: SAMOA -EP2 Nine 919,000 309,000 263,000 173,000 69,000 105,000
19 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS SUMMER Seven 889,000 232,000 266,000 168,000 92,000 131,000
20 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER-SUMMER Seven 875,000 228,000 268,000 175,000 91,000 114,000
21 SURVIVOR: SAMOA -EP1 Nine 837,000 275,000 238,000 171,000 65,000 87,000
22 ABC NEWS-SA ABC1 828,000 240,000 255,000 148,000 93,000 92,000
23 TAGGART-EV ABC1 823,000 196,000 236,000 162,000 120,000 110,000
24 NCIS RPT Ten 822,000 216,000 216,000 154,000 109,000 127,000
25 CSI: MIAMI -RPT Nine 819,000 195,000 244,000 176,000 134,000 70,000
26 20 TO 1 Nine 817,000 179,000 274,000 157,000 121,000 86,000
27 CASTLE (R) Seven 807,000 203,000 246,000 129,000 133,000 97,000
28 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS WED Ten 807,000 214,000 275,000 145,000 85,000 89,000
29 NO LEAVE NO LIFE Seven 804,000 200,000 217,000 179,000 95,000 113,000
30 AIR CRASH INVESTIGATIONS-WED Seven 800,000 187,000 226,000 187,000 82,000 118,000
940 MY GYM PARTNER IS A MONKEY GO! 9,000 1,000 2,000 1,000 2,000 2,000
943 BEACH VOLLEYBALL: FIVB WORLD TOUR 2009 RPT ONE 9,000 1,000 3,000 4,000 0 1,000
944 FRENCH NEWS SBS ONE 9,000 4,000 1,000 2,000 1,000 1,000
948 THIS IS YOUR DAY WITH BENNY HINN RPT Ten 8,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 0 2,000
951 COUNT DUCKULA 7TWO 8,000 2,000 1,000 2,000 2,000 1,000
957 BLUE WATER HIGH-EV ABC3 8,000 3,000 0 0 3,000 2,000
960 I FISH RPT ONE 8,000 1,000 5,000 2,000 0 0
961 LIFE TODAY WITH JAMES ROBISON Ten 8,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 1,000 2,000
962 CHINESE NEWS SBS ONE 8,000 0 7,000 1,000 0 0
963 NFL GAME DAY ONE 8,000 3,000 0 2,000 1,000 1,000
971 COLLEGE BASKETBALL REPLAY ONE 7,000 1,000 2,000 3,000 1,000 0
972 KRATT BROS: BE THE CREATURE-PM ABC3 7,000 4,000 0 0 2,000 1,000
973 HOUR OF POWER Ten 7,000 3,000 0 4,000 0 0
974 YAKKITY YAK-PM ABC3 7,000 5,000 0 0 1,000 1,000
980 LIVE FROM ABBEY ROAD-LE ABC2 7,000 3,000 1,000 1,000 0 1,000
981 COLLEGE BASKETBALL REPLAY RPT ONE 7,000 3,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 0
988 SORRY FOR KUNG FU RPT SBS TWO 6,000 4,000 3,000 0 0 0
991 WEATHERWATCH OVERNIGHT SBS ONE 6,000 1,000 4,000 1,000 0 0
994 HONG KONG NEWS SBS ONE 6,000 0 5,000 1,000 0 0
995 MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE 7TWO 6,000 2,000 0 1,000 1,000 2,000
1026 ITALIAN NEWS SBS ONE 4,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 0 1,000
1031 RUSSIAN NEWS SBS ONE 4,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 0 1,000
1038 HUNGARIAN NEWS SBS ONE 3,000 0 1,000 2,000 0 0
1039 THE SLEEPOVER CLUB-EV ABC3 3,000 3,000 0 0 0 0
1046 FOOTBALL: SERIE A REPLAY RPT ONE 2,000 1,000 0 0 0 1,000
1049 GREEK NEWS SBS ONE 2,000 0 0 1,000 0 0
1050 SKIPPY - THE BUSH KANGAROO Nine 2,000 2,000
1051 HOME SHOPPING (R) 7TWO 2,000 0 0 0 0 2,000
1052 AVENGER PENGUINS 7TWO 2,000 1,000 0 0 1,000 0
1053 SEVEN'S AFL: 1990 QUALIFYING FINAL - COLLINGWOOD V WEST COAS 7TWO 2,000 1,000 1,000 0 0 1,000
1054 EAST OF EVERYTHING-LE ABC2 2,000 0 1,000 1,000 0 0
1058 DIGIMON DATA SQUAD 7TWO 2,000 0 0 1,000 0 0
1059 WIND IN THE WILLOWS 7TWO 2,000 0 0 0 1,000 1,000
1061 CAN WE HELP?-EM ABC2 1,000 0 0 1,000 0 0
1062 HOME SHOPPING 7TWO 1,000 0 0 0 0 1,000
1063 ARABIC NEWS SBS TWO 1,000 0 1,000 0 0 0
1073 SEVEN'S AFL: 1995 RND 3 - FITZROY V FREMANTLE 7TWO 1,000 0 0 0 0 1,000
1074 SPANISH NEWS 1 SBS TWO 1,000 0 0 1,000 0 0
1075 YIN YANG YO! 7TWO 1,000 0 0 0 0 0
1076 WEATHERWATCH & MUSIC SBS TWO 1,000 0 0 0 0 0
1077 RUSSIAN NEWS 1 SBS TWO 1,000 0 0 0 0 0
1078 AUSTRALIA V NZ GOLF SKINS CHALLENGE RPT ONE 1,000 0 0 0 0 0
1079 GERMAN NEWS SBS TWO 1,000 0 0 0 0 0
(OzTAM mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 1,028,000 281,000 271,000 207,000 114,000 155,000
2 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 984,000 292,000 332,000 180,000 104,000 76,000
3 ABC NEWS-SA ABC1 828,000 240,000 255,000 148,000 93,000 92,000
4 TAGGART ABC1 823,000 196,000 236,000 162,000 120,000 110,000
5 NO LEAVE NO LIFE Seven 804,000 200,000 217,000 179,000 95,000 113,000
6 THE BILL ABC1 786,000 213,000 193,000 155,000 116,000 110,000
7 BORDERLINE Seven 737,000 192,000 205,000 170,000 73,000 97,000
8 THIRD TEST - AUSTRALIA V PAKISTAN Nine 717,000 212,000 215,000 130,000 77,000 82,000
9 WIPEOUT Nine 673,000 175,000 200,000 148,000 88,000 63,000
12 BED OF ROSES RPT ABC1 545,000 146,000 132,000 126,000 67,000 75,000
14 REBUS RPT ABC1 513,000 112,000 179,000 70,000 79,000 74,000
15 BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II RPT Ten 513,000 171,000 143,000 78,000 63,000 58,000
19 MYTHBUSTERS RPT SBS ONE 408,000 102,000 137,000 67,000 44,000 59,000
24 BLACK HAWK DOWN RPT Ten 310,000 96,000 103,000 54,000 28,000 30,000
25 IRON CHEF SBS ONE 294,000 77,000 124,000 35,000 30,000 28,000
26 M-GONE IN SIXTY SECONDS Seven 276,000 70,000 92,000 55,000 36,000 22,000
28 ROCKWIZ RPT SBS ONE 252,000 67,000 93,000 49,000 24,000 19,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 NINE NEWS Nine 1,151,000 327,000 398,000 213,000 112,000 101,000
2 MIDSOMER MURDERS RPT ABC1 1,145,000 284,000 317,000 238,000 149,000 157,000
3 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,087,000 275,000 322,000 212,000 123,000 155,000
4 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,013,000 265,000 296,000 196,000 113,000 143,000
5 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 947,000 264,000 302,000 187,000 89,000 105,000
6 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS SUMMER Seven 889,000 232,000 266,000 168,000 92,000 131,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 NINE NEWS Nine 1,206,000 341,000 410,000 242,000 113,000 100,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,161,000 358,000 353,000 158,000 118,000 175,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,085,000 329,000 312,000 167,000 118,000 159,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,017,000 244,000 366,000 222,000 86,000 98,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC1 980,000 263,000 304,000 144,000 116,000 153,000
6 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER-SUMMER Seven 862,000 232,000 263,000 164,000 100,000 104,000
7 7.30 REPORT SUMMER EDITION ABC1 802,000 265,000 216,000 128,000 71,000 122,000
8 GARY UNMARRIED-THU Seven 764,000 185,000 214,000 170,000 99,000 94,000
9 SECRET MILLIONAIRE -RPT Nine 707,000 225,000 167,000 152,000 67,000 96,000
10 RESCUE SPECIAL OPS -RPT Nine 688,000 174,000 192,000 124,000 92,000 106,000
13 CSI: NY Nine 650,000 167,000 194,000 103,000 99,000 86,000
15 FRANCESCO'S MEDITERRANEAN VOYAGE ABC1 637,000 216,000 168,000 102,000 61,000 91,000
18 SEVEN AGES OF ROCK ABC1 562,000 154,000 173,000 88,000 76,000 71,000
21 THIRD TEST - AUSTRALIA V PAKISTAN Nine 518,000 155,000 166,000 87,000 55,000 56,000
23 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 506,000 144,000 142,000 88,000 73,000 60,000
31 OZ AND JAMES'S BIG WINE ADVENTURE SBS ONE 328,000 99,000 115,000 59,000 23,000 32,000
34 GOURMET FARMER SBS ONE 302,000 94,000 94,000 47,000 24,000 43,000
63 UFC WIRED ONE 138,000 26,000 34,000 50,000 27,000 0
72 FIFTH GEAR 7TWO 121,000 17,000 49,000 26,000 11,000 18,000
87 FRIDAY ON MY MIND RPT SBS ONE 98,000 26,000 24,000 27,000 10,000 11,000
89 SPICKS AND SPECKS ABC2 95,000 26,000 31,000 15,000 10,000 13,000
100 E.R. GO! 83,000 23,000 27,000 15,000 11,000 7,000
116 CLASSIC ALBUMS: DURAN DURAN - RIO SBS ONE 69,000 15,000 16,000 18,000 6,000 14,000
161 THE COLBERT REPORT ABC2 44,000 4,000 6,000 14,000 14,000 6,000

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,181,000 304,000 354,000 200,000 141,000 181,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,110,000 282,000 321,000 206,000 134,000 167,000
3 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,018,000 273,000 354,000 212,000 76,000 104,000
4 NINE NEWS Nine 963,000 288,000 325,000 240,000 109,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC1 960,000 260,000 308,000 146,000 95,000 151,000
6 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER-SUMMER Seven 924,000 240,000 296,000 167,000 96,000 126,000
7 THE ALL NEW SIMPSONS WED Ten 807,000 214,000 275,000 145,000 85,000 89,000
8 AIR CRASH INVESTIGATIONS-WED Seven 800,000 187,000 226,000 187,000 82,000 118,000
12 CITY HOMICIDE-WED (R) Seven 747,000 176,000 212,000 152,000 85,000 122,000
15 MY FAMILY ABC1 687,000 182,000 201,000 126,000 73,000 105,000
16 THE COMMANDER Nine 653,000 192,000 198,000 83,000 101,000 79,000
17 THE CLEVELAND SHOW Ten 637,000 205,000 192,000 104,000 72,000 64,000
20 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 571,000 141,000 208,000 121,000 54,000 46,000
37 REX IN ROME SBS ONE 263,000 83,000 79,000 40,000 25,000 36,000
45 I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW 7TWO 204,000 38,000 55,000 61,000 21,000 30,000
50 CHANDON PICTURES ABC1 186,000 61,000 36,000 38,000 25,000 26,000
67 SHRINK RAP ABC2 129,000 40,000 46,000 22,000 12,000 9,000
73 NEW AMSTERDAM GO! 120,000 22,000 67,000 6,000 14,000 11,000
74 EATAHOLICS ABC2 119,000 39,000 41,000 16,000 11,000 13,000
84 TIN MAN 7TWO 102,000 10,000 32,000 21,000 16,000 22,000
115 THE MOLE SISTERS ABC2 75,000 31,000 17,000 2,000 13,000 13,000

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,243,000 319,000 384,000 231,000 151,000 157,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,163,000 301,000 341,000 241,000 139,000 141,000
3 NINE NEWS Nine 1,124,000 273,000 409,000 222,000 107,000 112,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,054,000 240,000 422,000 195,000 84,000 112,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC1 998,000 248,000 320,000 185,000 99,000 146,000
6 SURVIVOR: SAMOA -EP2 Nine 919,000 309,000 263,000 173,000 69,000 105,000
9 SURVIVOR: SAMOA -EP1 Nine 838,000 276,000 238,000 172,000 65,000 87,000
16 BUSH SLAM ABC1 612,000 166,000 180,000 139,000 48,000 78,000
17 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 599,000 156,000 219,000 100,000 69,000 56,000
50 BIG LOVE SBS ONE 191,000 53,000 63,000 24,000 21,000 30,000
57 UGLY BETTY 7TWO 165,000 56,000 46,000 20,000 16,000 27,000
82 THE BACHELORETTE GO! 113,000 29,000 50,000 15,000 13,000 5,000
92 TOOL ACADEMY GO! 103,000 15,000 50,000 11,000 17,000 10,000
131 GO GO STOP Seven 69,000 25,000 15,000 15,000 2,000 12,000
176 THE WIRE ABC2 43,000 16,000 16,000 4,000 3,000 5,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,359,000 335,000 414,000 239,000 175,000 196,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,268,000 317,000 356,000 240,000 161,000 194,000
3 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,107,000 269,000 399,000 235,000 92,000 113,000
4 ABC NEWS ABC1 1,040,000 234,000 351,000 184,000 115,000 157,000
5 BORDER PATROL (R) Seven 1,029,000 286,000 263,000 222,000 120,000 138,000
6 THE MENTALIST -RPT Nine 1,011,000 288,000 300,000 191,000 123,000 110,000
7 DESTROYED IN SECONDS Seven 995,000 275,000 252,000 201,000 124,000 144,000
8 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER-SUMMER Seven 983,000 280,000 276,000 201,000 96,000 131,000
14 TOP GEAR SBS ONE 724,000 182,000 194,000 164,000 98,000 86,000
16 THE MIDDLE Nine 692,000 186,000 249,000 139,000 53,000 66,000
17 DOUBLE JEOPARDY RPT Ten 666,000 193,000 224,000 110,000 70,000 69,000
20 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 614,000 165,000 240,000 91,000 51,000 68,000
23 M-DERAILED Seven 587,000 139,000 180,000 116,000 47,000 105,000
28 HG WELLS: WAR WITH THE WORLD ABC1 462,000 157,000 105,000 87,000 51,000 63,000
46 30 ROCK (R) Seven 228,000 59,000 72,000 46,000 24,000 27,000
47 HEARTBEAT 7TWO 222,000 41,000 63,000 35,000 37,000 46,000
61 THE BENNY HILL SHOW 7TWO 161,000 24,000 54,000 21,000 27,000 34,000
76 JUDGE JOHN DEED 7TWO 125,000 23,000 46,000 17,000 25,000 15,000
92 NIP/TUCK GO! 105,000 19,000 38,000 20,000 16,000 12,000

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,236,000 290,000 325,000 280,000 138,000 202,000
2 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,199,000 238,000 470,000 195,000 194,000 101,000
3 COASTWATCH Seven 1,174,000 249,000 348,000 282,000 135,000 159,000
4 BORDER PATROL-SUN Seven 1,139,000 241,000 316,000 290,000 127,000 166,000
5 BONES (R) Seven 1,080,000 246,000 269,000 270,000 154,000 141,000
6 MIGHTY SHIPS: BECRUX Seven 1,041,000 247,000 236,000 269,000 130,000 159,000
7 CASTLE (R) Seven 826,000 203,000 246,000 145,000 135,000 97,000
8 20 TO 1 Nine 819,000 178,000 275,000 156,000 124,000 86,000
12 DIE HARD: WITH A VENGEANCE RPT Ten 675,000 202,000 200,000 112,000 77,000 84,000
17 M-THE PROPOSITION ABC1 577,000 145,000 169,000 111,000 50,000 102,000
18 TERMINATOR 3 -RPT Nine 493,000 116,000 164,000 104,000 64,000 46,000
25 THE GREAT SPERM RACE SBS ONE 300,000 92,000 63,000 70,000 30,000 45,000
28 DEATH OF THE MEGABEASTS SBS ONE 278,000 77,000 77,000 56,000 30,000 38,000
55 JOHN ADAMS SBS ONE 128,000 38,000 43,000 24,000 10,000 13,000
59 M-GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE 2 7TWO 119,000 8,000 50,000 19,000 20,000 23,000

The ratings race, updated 10am Monday
This was pay TV's account of itself for the week: "The FOX Sports' coverage of the Twenty20 match between WA and NSW, Live: Cricket: Twenty20 Big Bash, topped the week with 186,000 viewers. In other sport, Cricket: World Series Classics on FOX Sports was watched by 70,000 people and Sky Raceday on Sky Racing was seen by 69,000 people.

"In entertainment programming, Midsomer Murders on UKTV was watched by 111,000 people and Family Guy on FOX8 was seen by 107,000 people. Taggart on 13th Street had its best result on the channel with 104,000 viewers, Location, Location, Location on Lifestyle was watched by 92,000 people and Stephen Fry's frivolous quiz program, QI, had its biggest ever audience on UKTV with 85,000 people. NCIS on TV1 was watched by 84,000 people, 16 And Pregnant on MTV had 64,000 viewers and Pulp Fiction on Movie Greats was seen by 55,000 people.

"In week 2 of 2010, subscription TV channels accounted for 25.5% of all metropolitan viewing between 6am and midnight, 22.5% of all regional viewing and 61.3% of all viewing in subscription TV homes."

What Australia watched, Saturday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide
1 SEVEN NEWS - SAT Seven 991,000 218,000 284,000 229,000 91,000
2 ABC NEWS-SAT ABC1 859,000 208,000 278,000 164,000 99,000
3 THE VICAR OF DIBLEY - EASTER SPECIAL Seven 822,000 193,000 246,000 186,000 88,000
4 NINE NEWS SATURDAY Nine 818,000 189,000 265,000 179,000 110,000
5 NO LEAVE NO LIFE Seven 761,000 181,000 219,000 159,000 72,000
6 KINGDOM Seven 755,000 188,000 218,000 161,000 76,000
7 BORDERLINE Seven 739,000 181,000 194,000 167,000 69,000
8 TAGGART ABC1 731,000 187,000 190,000 142,000 98,000
10 WIPEOUT Nine 651,000 148,000 220,000 135,000 86,000
12 FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF SILVER SURFER RPT Ten 627,000 151,000 180,000 151,000 49,000
13 THE BILL ABC1 622,000 147,000 154,000 129,000 83,000
15 REBUS RPT ABC1 515,000 124,000 168,000 70,000 76,000
16 BED OF ROSES RPT ABC1 510,000 127,000 122,000 123,000 62,000
17 JAWS 2 RPT Ten 510,000 86,000 206,000 100,000 66,000
20 CRUSOE Nine 378,000 99,000 96,000 91,000 52,000
21 MYTHBUSTERS RPT SBS ONE 362,000 73,000 122,000 79,000 43,000
22 DECEMBER BOYS Nine 299,000 106,000 61,000 56,000 50,000
26 ROCKWIZ RPT SBS ONE 247,000 74,000 66,000 57,000 22,000
27 IRON CHEF SBS ONE 246,000 74,000 101,000 34,000 18,000
31 M-I HEART HUCKABEES Seven 224,000 59,000 70,000 54,000 30,000

What Australia watched, Friday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,079,000 217,000 352,000 233,000 139,000 138,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,066,000 202,000 342,000 232,000 148,000 142,000
3 MIDSOMER MURDERS RPT ABC1 1,016,000 318,000 276,000 167,000 126,000 129,000
4 NINE NEWS Nine 883,000 222,000 261,000 187,000 109,000 105,000
5 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS SUMMER Seven 837,000 185,000 267,000 154,000 106,000 126,000
6 ABC NEWS ABC1 799,000 204,000 245,000 143,000 85,000 121,000
7 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 758,000 187,000 235,000 171,000 77,000 87,000
15 KING SOLOMON'S MINES -RPT Nine 525,000 142,000 145,000 119,000 59,000 59,000
17 M-FLIGHTPLAN Seven 504,000 113,000 176,000 87,000 53,000 75,000
18 MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE FRI Ten 491,000 122,000 150,000 95,000 57,000 68,000
19 MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE Ten 446,000 113,000 125,000 71,000 66,000 70,000
23 BILLY ELLIOT RPT Ten 403,000 116,000 122,000 73,000 44,000 49,000
32 TRAWLERMEN SBS ONE 266,000 79,000 77,000 59,000 27,000 23,000
37 EROTIC TALES 2 RPT SBS ONE 217,000 62,000 67,000 37,000 26,000 24,000
38 THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW ABC1 199,000 62,000 65,000 28,000 21,000 22,000
49 TORCHWOOD: CHILDREN OF EARTH ABC2 175,000 59,000 45,000 33,000 18,000 20,000
50 EROTIC TALES 1 RPT SBS ONE 171,000 58,000 45,000 27,000 24,000 17,000
53 CHANT OF THE SCRUB TURKEY RPT ABC1 163,000 28,000 30,000 49,000 24,000 32,000
60 OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE Ten 137,000 29,000 47,000 16,000 18,000 27,000

What Australia watched, Thursday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,122,000 282,000 322,000 228,000 135,000 155,000
2 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,062,000 239,000 309,000 219,000 144,000 152,000
3 NINE NEWS Nine 961,000 290,000 260,000 227,000 94,000 90,000
4 ABC NEWS ABC1 836,000 216,000 237,000 157,000 90,000 135,000
5 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 823,000 234,000 234,000 201,000 77,000 78,000
6 TEN NEWS AT FIVE Ten 721,000 183,000 230,000 126,000 91,000 90,000
7 HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER-SUMMER Seven 711,000 194,000 158,000 162,000 86,000 111,000
8 7.30 REPORT SUMMER EDITION ABC1 701,000 190,000 183,000 164,000 61,000 103,000
9 SEVEN AGES OF ROCK ABC1 694,000 179,000 190,000 151,000 75,000 100,000
17 MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE Ten 530,000 153,000 149,000 79,000 77,000 73,000
18 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 527,000 160,000 153,000 117,000 53,000 45,000
28 M-JAPANESE STORY Seven 423,000 101,000 103,000 113,000 59,000 48,000
31 OZ AND JAMES'S BIG WINE ADVENTURE SBS ONE 320,000 75,000 115,000 63,000 27,000 40,000
35 GOURMET FARMER SBS ONE 278,000 71,000 102,000 58,000 16,000 31,000
48 STARGATE ATLANTIS 7TWO 182,000 40,000 44,000 53,000 27,000 18,000
51 MOTHER AND SON 7TWO 160,000 31,000 55,000 35,000 22,000 18,000
52 THE BIPOLAR BEARS SBS ONE 155,000 32,000 64,000 30,000 12,000 17,000
68 THE GRAHAM NORTON SHOW ABC2 121,000 18,000 49,000 30,000 15,000 9,000
84 FIFTH GEAR 7TWO 94,000 24,000 8,000 35,000 13,000 14,000
92 BEWITCHED GO! 89,000 26,000 22,000 9,000 13,000 20,000
96 SEINFELD GO! 85,000 13,000 37,000 14,000 9,000 12,000

What Australia watched, Wednesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,184,000 266,000 328,000 226,000 164,000 199,000
2 NINE NEWS Nine 1,132,000 356,000 346,000 252,000 97,000 81,000
3 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,084,000 243,000 278,000 226,000 152,000 185,000
4 ABC NEWS ABC1 988,000 254,000 276,000 176,000 103,000 178,000
5 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 966,000 279,000 315,000 229,000 73,000 70,000
6 AIR CRASH INVESTIGATIONS-WED Seven 817,000 180,000 196,000 212,000 104,000 124,000
7 COLD CASE -RPT Nine 776,000 202,000 235,000 141,000 97,000 100,000
14 SECOND TEST - AUSTRALIA V PAKISTAN Nine 695,000 205,000 221,000 128,000 77,000 63,000
16 THE COMMANDER Nine 672,000 177,000 225,000 88,000 99,000 83,000
21 THE CLEVELAND SHOW Ten 552,000 139,000 155,000 99,000 80,000 79,000
22 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 541,000 127,000 157,000 137,000 63,000 57,000
27 BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE ABC1 413,000 89,000 131,000 85,000 41,000 66,000
30 CALIFORNICATION WED EP 2 Ten 368,000 95,000 138,000 49,000 52,000 33,000
31 CALIFORNICATION WED Ten 367,000 113,000 133,000 54,000 43,000 25,000
38 REX IN ROME SBS ONE 234,000 64,000 76,000 39,000 23,000 32,000
44 PLAY SCHOOL-AM ABC1 196,000 57,000 71,000 12,000 19,000 37,000
45 CHANDON PICTURES ABC1 196,000 51,000 45,000 35,000 32,000 32,000

What Australia watched, Tuesday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,224,000 312,000 369,000 242,000 143,000 157,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,168,000 310,000 325,000 229,000 147,000 157,000
3 NINE NEWS Nine 1,166,000 316,000 388,000 240,000 124,000 98,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 980,000 276,000 324,000 208,000 93,000 80,000
5 ABC NEWS ABC1 967,000 260,000 268,000 207,000 94,000 139,000
6 7.30 REPORT SUMMER EDITION ABC1 904,000 230,000 286,000 194,000 83,000 110,000
7 SURVIVOR: SAMOA -EP1 Nine 837,000 294,000 241,000 138,000 71,000 94,000
8 SURVIVOR: SAMOA -EP2 Nine 815,000 309,000 210,000 131,000 73,000 92,000
9 LAKE EYRE: AUSTRALIA'S OUTBACK WONDER ABC1 801,000 199,000 256,000 148,000 108,000 91,000
12 BUSH SLAM ABC1 730,000 189,000 209,000 160,000 75,000 97,000
17 GARY UNMARRIED-TUE Seven 664,000 174,000 145,000 159,000 99,000 87,000
18 SECOND TEST - AUSTRALIA V PAKISTAN Nine 651,000 184,000 210,000 125,000 70,000 62,000
21 THE 7PM PROJECT Ten 518,000 121,000 195,000 91,000 65,000 46,000
22 MALCOM IN THE MIDDLE Ten 511,000 127,000 159,000 67,000 69,000 89,000
38 30 ROCK (R) Seven 231,000 68,000 86,000 34,000 20,000 24,000
39 THE CIRCUIT SBS ONE 229,000 94,000 50,000 39,000 30,000 16,000
46 THE CUT RPT ABC1 183,000 43,000 52,000 34,000 27,000 26,000
56 UGLY BETTY 7TWO 159,000 47,000 35,000 37,000 10,000 31,000
59 HOUSE TUES RPT Ten 148,000 42,000 55,000 21,000 20,000 10,000
63 POIROT RPT ABC1 137,000 32,000 47,000 21,000 18,000 18,000

What Australia watched, Monday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS Seven 1,274,000 311,000 352,000 242,000 175,000 194,000
2 TODAY TONIGHT Seven 1,231,000 309,000 325,000 229,000 185,000 183,000
3 NINE NEWS Nine 1,203,000 335,000 419,000 237,000 104,000 108,000
4 A CURRENT AFFAIR Nine 1,086,000 278,000 360,000 243,000 102,000 104,000
5 DESTROYED IN SECONDS Seven 990,000 262,000 236,000 216,000 114,000 161,000
6 THE MENTALIST -RPT Nine 985,000 238,000 302,000 199,000 142,000 104,000
7 ABC NEWS ABC1 976,000 213,000 313,000 199,000 115,000 136,000
8 CSI: MIAMI Nine 874,000 219,000 233,000 176,000 149,000 97,000
13 THE MIDDLE Nine 745,000 205,000 236,000 145,000 73,000 85,000
15 TOP GEAR SBS ONE 716,000 173,000 214,000 163,000 94,000 72,000
17 ELDERS WITH ANDREW DENTON RPT ABC1 671,000 180,000 190,000 146,000 71,000 84,000
19 SECOND TEST - AUSTRALIA V PAKISTAN Nine 605,000 184,000 173,000 121,000 60,000 67,000
20 MAN VS WILD SBS ONE 594,000 193,000 156,000 110,000 60,000 74,000
21 MALCOLM IN THE MIDDLE Ten 587,000 147,000 179,000 114,000 76,000 71,000
31 MAKE 'EM LAUGH: THE FUNNY BUSINESS OF AMERICA ABC1 372,000 113,000 133,000 51,000 45,000 31,000
33 SUNRISE Seven 324,000 76,000 59,000 115,000 25,000 49,000
40 TODAY Nine 240,000 83,000 72,000 69,000 13,000 2,000
45 30 ROCK (R) Seven 212,000 67,000 72,000 31,000 22,000 20,000
51 HEARTBEAT 7TWO 205,000 54,000 64,000 28,000 27,000 32,000
68 DOCTOR WHO ABC2 127,000 37,000 25,000 27,000 25,000 14,000
74 JUDGE JOHN DEED 7TWO 121,000 10,000 51,000 26,000 23,000 11,000
89 THE NANNY GO! 84,000 19,000 28,000 22,000 5,000 10,000
(OzTAM preliminary estimates, mainland capitals)

What Australia watched, Sunday
Description Total Sydney Melbourne Brisbane Adelaide Perth
1 SEVEN NEWS - SUN Seven 1,425,000 344,000 396,000 353,000 156,000 177,000
2 NINE NEWS SUNDAY Nine 1,285,000 334,000 444,000 254,000 139,000 115,000
3 MIGHTY SHIPS: FAUST Seven 1,035,000 231,000 284,000 250,000 120,000 149,000
4 TWO AND A HALF MEN -RPT Nine 1,023,000 274,000 390,000 144,000 108,000 105,000
5 BORDER PATROL-SUN Seven 1,022,000 216,000 272,000 268,000 108,000 158,000
6 BONES (R) Seven 1,020,000 254,000 264,000 248,000 123,000 131,000
7 20 TO 1 -RPT Nine 910,000 302,000 390,000 118,000 100,000
8 THE BIG BANG THEORY -RPT Nine 817,000 186,000 309,000 161,000 75,000 86,000
9 ABC NEWS-SU ABC1 777,000 186,000 210,000 158,000 77,000 147,000
10 SECOND TEST - AUSTRALIA V PAKISTAN Nine 718,000 182,000 218,000 153,000 86,000 79,000
13 M-WAH-WAH ABC1 650,000 147,000 211,000 123,000 65,000 104,000
14 TROY -RPT Nine 629,000 155,000 214,000 133,000 66,000 62,000
16 DIE HARD 2 RPT Ten 531,000 124,000 173,000 113,000 58,000 63,000
34 M-THE LOVE BUG 2: HERBIE RIDES AGAIN Seven 209,000 85,000 56,000 43,000 24,000
39 WIPEOUT AUSTRALIA GO! 180,000 34,000 47,000 55,000 21,000 24,000
49 M-FINDING NEVERLAND 7TWO 136,000 27,000 47,000 18,000 29,000 15,000
56 JOHN ADAMS SBS ONE 113,000 29,000 40,000 21,000 14,000 10,000
58 M-THE LOVE BUG 2: HERBIE RIDES AGAIN 7TWO 105,000 24,000 33,000 10,000 23,000 14,000
59 OLIVIA-AM ABC2 104,000 35,000 41,000 7,000 12,000 8,000
63 ARTHUR ABC2 94,000 28,000 40,000 5,000 12,000 8,000
69 GREEN ACRES GO! 90,000 14,000 34,000 9,000 24,000 8,000

David Dale is the author of The Little Book of Australia -- A snapshot of who we are (Allen and Unwin). For daily updates on Australian attitudes, bookmark blogs.sunherald.com.au/whoweare.

COMMENTS

Why did we watch the Big ships/Faust show? because it was the only half decent thing to watch on Sunday night!!! And it wasnt real bad either......

Tribal Mind wonders: But what was it? A documentary or a retelling of the Faust tale?

by Jess P on January 04, 2010 at 10:26 AM

I don't know what Mighty Ships was but an awful lot of people seemed to watch.
Meanwhile, I had a pleasant evening watching a downloaded copy of David Tennant's last outing as the good Doctor.
I must admit I expected something better but was quite happy with the last 10 mins and am now looking forward to seeing the new Dr Who. I don't think anyone can do the Doc like Tennant but am going into watching the new series with an open mind. David Tennant will certainly be missed and I love that his last line in the show was "But I don't want to go". I couldn't stop myself screaming back "I don't want you to go either!" Sad.

by em on January 04, 2010 at 11:45 AM

yourtv.com.au has the blurb for "Faust" as: There is no bigger car carrier in the world than Faust, and none more high tech. A winter crossing to America with thousands of European luxury cars will put Faust and her crew to the test. In spite of storms, the threat of fire and stowaways, nothing will put a dent in her schedule or her prized cargo.
Can't say it sounds appealing to me, but I know I'm in the minority most of the time.
Caught "Wah Wah" on ABC1, and while it had clunky moments, I did like it overall. (I read Richard E. Grant's "Wah Wah Diaries" a couple of years ago which is a fascinating view of behind the scenes. Probably more fascinating than the movie, at times.)
And have recorded "John Adams" for viewing later in the week, when there is nothing on.
Am I the only one excited by ABC2 showing "The Colbert Report" tomorrow night??

by tqd on January 04, 2010 at 02:36 PM

Heck I was still driving home from the GC and missed all of last nights TV! Yes The Family Skerrick is safely back on the South Coast.a
According to Master 8.5, Wet n Wild is the best of the 3 Warner Theme parks, followed by Seaworld (where it rained every time we went there) and lastly Movie World (which is commercial rubbish). You're not meant to take food into the two "Worlds" unless you have dietary issues (which you don't have to prove). You can take food, and even BBQ stuff to WnW. Saw The Princess & The Frog at the Dive in Movie. Meh.
For shopping, Pacific Fair is the best place, followed by Harbourtown. Australia Fair used to be great but it's quite ordinary. It also has a Bidet Shop, for those who are looking for bidet. Or a bath that you can walk into.

by Bereft Skerrick on January 04, 2010 at 03:51 PM

Stargate Universe axed? The Colbert debuts on ABC2 tomorrow night? A girl leaves Teh Interwebs behind for a week and see what happens!

by Bereft Skerrick on January 04, 2010 at 08:20 PM

Re no Stargate Universe or Supernatural methinks Shirl is panicking very early this year - I read they are scheduling several Malcolm in the Middle episodes - perhaps the replacement for multiple Simpsons?
There is very little on offer to tempt anyone at present - unless of course you are sport obsessed.
My movie buddy is away this week so I cannot even get to the cinema - in withdrawal as I have only seen 1 movie this year - the Fantastic Mr Fox. This is after the mighty effort of 72 movies last year! However I am intending to match that number this year if possible.

Tribal Mind asks: And was Mr Fox fantastic?

by Cathy on January 05, 2010 at 09:13 AM

What has happened to 30 Rock? Just a couple of weeks ago it was hitting the heights of 500k, now it's getting less than half that. Have people tiered of the show already, is the competition that much better, or is it purely due to it's lead in - which was some pathetically old cops and robbers movie last night.
Any figures for the return of The 7pm Project; good, bad, ugly?

by Dino on January 05, 2010 at 12:39 PM

would you know the seige and 7pm project numbers for last night please:)

Tribal MInd replies: I would know them if I had time to go into the files and look them up. Could you kindly wait until tomorrow?

by ryan on January 05, 2010 at 12:52 PM

Yes TM Mr Fox was very clever and fantastic and the fact that George Clooney voiced him did not distract too much.

by Cathy on January 05, 2010 at 01:06 PM

Yeah, what happened to SGU & Supernatural last night? Went to watch and there was a movie on instead. Not nice, Ten!
Also just heard that SGU has been renewed for a second season in the US. The rest of season 1 will be shown there from April with season 2 scheduled for their Fall. Some good news for us fans.

by em on January 05, 2010 at 01:09 PM

Thank you TM, for your Wondrous Prize Book which arrived today. It is for reading in big chunks and for dipping into and then quoting to my friends!! Thank you too for the lovely message inside, written in my favourite colour- I would add poet to my CV if I had one!! Happy New Year!!

by 2paw on January 05, 2010 at 04:07 PM

Happy New Year TM!
May I ask how the return of The 7pm Project rated on Ten last night? Considering all the other rubbish on over summer, it's a shining light at the moment. Thanks.

Tribal Mind replies: It never went away. I will give latest figures tomorrow.

by Ryan on January 05, 2010 at 05:01 PM

The Middle might be even funnier if it, itself, was canned.

by d@gp on January 05, 2010 at 05:12 PM

To ER fans who have GO: rumour has it that it is to shown this Thursday (7 January) at 10.30 pm - will believe it when I see it - of course it may not be new episodes - watch this space! If so a brief oasis in a sea of sport

by Cathy on January 05, 2010 at 08:36 PM

Just watched "The End of (David Tennant) Time". I cried.

by Bereft Skerrick on January 05, 2010 at 10:33 PM

Bereft, I agree totally! So very sad to see the last of Tennant.
He was the best Doc ever!

by em on January 06, 2010 at 08:26 AM

Stayed up late last night to see ER on GO.
It was a new episode but it would have been nice for Nine to advertise it. I bet most fans didn't even know it was on. As I have Foxtel IQ and no other recording device I couldn't record it like I usually would. I get up early for work and 11.30 bedtime is a bit too late for me. So I don't think I will be doing that again. I thought GO was supposed to be available to Foxtel viewers but obviously not. We get 7TWO but not GO! Luckily I get a reasonable pic on "normal" reception but that does not solve the recording problem.
I give up, Nine. Surrender. I will wait till season 14 & 15 are available on DVD and buy them. And networks wonder why viewers get peeved and stop watching!

Tribal Mind wonders: You need to phone Foxtel and ask why you do not have GO. I use Foxtel IQ to record GO all the time.

by em on January 08, 2010 at 10:11 AM

Em, Seasons 14 and 15 are available now on www.amazon.co.uk. I bought them late last year and had an ER feast over Christmas.
Bereft, I cried and cried at the end of Dr Who as well. I do not want him to go!

by Aine on January 08, 2010 at 12:28 PM

Thanks TM, I will. Maybe because I live on the Central Coast and not Sydney?

by em on January 08, 2010 at 01:13 PM

re: GO on foxtel
I understand that at present GO only broadcasts on the 'cable' network for Foxtel.. NOT the 'satellite' network.
It will be added to the satellite network in the near future.
I find this odd given Ch 9's relationship with FOX - you would think they would be keen for complete coverage as soon as possible....

by little dog on January 08, 2010 at 02:00 PM

ABCTV can not show true HDTV anymore as ABC3 has taken away the bandwidth required & ABC2 is now pixellated as well.So the next Dr WHO will be low definition.So much for the Digital TV revolution ! Its only worth getting a full HD set up for Blue Ray discs.There is not enough bandwidth on TEN/9/7 as well to do the full HD 1080i transmissions as promised .

by doug on January 08, 2010 at 03:33 PM

Hi, do you know what ratings TNA Xplosion & UFC Wired got on OneHD last night?
Thanks

Tribal Mind replies: Congrats, you win the award for the most obscure question this year. TNA got 56,000 across the mainland capitals, while UFC got 80,000 but was not shown in Brisbane. Would you like to tell us what is good about these programs?

by Gizmo on January 08, 2010 at 09:29 PM

Re ER - to em and other remaining fans - just read that GO has moved ER to a 9.30 start on Thursdays - maybe they listened em?

by Cathy on January 09, 2010 at 11:08 PM

Thanks for the info. :)
I was reading on a site that OneHD was possibly going to try to get TNA Impact from Fox8 & will also be showing more UFC this year (UFC 110 will be live on One next month), so I was interested in seeing how they were faring ratings wise. As for what's good about them, for people that like pro wrestling or MMA they can be fun to watch.

Tribal Mind wonders: TNA? UFC? MMA?

by Gizmo on January 10, 2010 at 11:30 PM

TNA (Total Nonstop Action) is a pro wrestling company. They're the number 2 wrestling company in the US but a lot smaller than WWE (formerly WWF). They've recently hired Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair & Jeff Hardy to try to get bigger & become more well known. OneHD started showing the recap show TNA Xplosion about a month ago.
MMA stands for mixed martial arts, it's a combat sport that combines amateur wrestling, boxing, kickboxing and various other martial arts. It's also known as NHB (no holds barred) & cage fighting.
UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is the world's #1 MMA company. Some of their PPVs last year had a million+ buyrate and they are starting to overtake boxing as the most popular fighting sport in North America. UFC 110 is being held in Sydney next month and sold out quickly, their PPVs are usually shown on Main Event here but OneHD will be screening that event live instead. UFC Wired shows some of the better fights from the older PPVs.

by Gizmo on January 11, 2010 at 06:54 AM

I watched (well, that's actually a relative term, I think more accurately I read and made dinner while it was on in the background) 20 to 1 last night. Talk about scraping the bottom of the barrel for "celebrities" - Melissa Tkautz? Has she done anything since E Street? Sami Lukis? Plugga? Then there were a few random people who I literally had never seen before, and because I wasn't looking up while their name was on screen, I still have no idea who they are.
On a different, and much better note - watched Inside the Actor's Studio last night on ABC2 with Ricky Gervais - absolutely hysterical. He was just taking the piss the whole time about the acting process etc, while being very open about the fact that he really felt silly giving 'advice' when he felt they were all much more qualified than he was, as he has had no professional training. I really think the only reason they got him on was not because of any great insight, but that the host (is it James...Lipton?) is just such a fan - any guest who has been on Extras always has that clip shown and he always discusses the experience of working with Gervais. Did that with Daniel Radcliffe and it was v. v. funny. Has inspired me to get Extras on dvd, I think.
And yay, my $10 Tin Man box set turned up today! (well, it probably turned up early last week, but as I was down th coast, didn't get to post office untiil this morning).

by Beckala on January 11, 2010 at 08:23 AM

Yesterday was the Thomas Haden Church festival on PrimeTwo (which, BTW, doesn't have the need to a bright logo at the top of the screen to go with the watermark at the bottom). Broken up by a smattering of Herbie the Love Bug, who had Victor from Young & The Restless as one of the main protagonists.
Yeah sure, George of the Jungle II isn't cinematic greatness. But Sideways was on at 9pm last night. I was in THC heaven! I might have to dig Ned & Stacey Season 1 out of my moving boxes!

Tribal Mind asks: Is PrimeTwo what we decadent urbanites call GO?

by Bereft Skerrick on January 11, 2010 at 12:00 PM

hey Gizmo... forget the patient explanations to TM - just get him in a step-over-toe-hold!
Hope One HD have better success with their recording the UFC event than they did with the Hulkamania HasBeen Tour.
"Not enough footage to make a decent special" indeed...
Did anyone know Hogan recently underwent a hip replacement op?
No wonder he wouldn't do the legdrop on Flair.
How sad... how very, very sad...

by d@gp on January 11, 2010 at 01:53 PM

Agree with the previous sentiments expressed, Doctor Who "The End of Time" is very well done having watched the two episodes downloaded over Christmas (don't worry Aunty, I'll watch again when you finally get around to airing them in February).

Downloaded the latest series of Top Gear over the hols as well - could not stand watching that on Channel "ads every 3.5 minutes" Nine. Top Gear entertaining as always.

And Channel 10 (shirl) - what happened to SGU? Just getting into it and you pull it!!!! Don't tell me I need to donwload that as well?

by rob196 on January 11, 2010 at 02:05 PM

Just heard that Ten won't be doing Idol this year. I don't think we needed a crystal ball to predict that one.

And seems like Ten have dumped Supernatural , at least I can't find it on the schedule. Anyone hear when it might be back on? I know it's a really silly show but the eye candy is good and I enjoy it.

Oh, and Cathy, thanks for update on time change for ER. Maybe someone from Nine reads this forum? Maybe I should start being nicer to them? No, I don't think so.

by em on January 11, 2010 at 02:33 PM

Have to agree with you Beckala re the "celebrities" in 20 to 1 - not that I watch the show! I am most amused when someone like Ricki-Lee gushes over something/someone etc that happened well before she would have been born. Or when another celeb can quote lines from movies/songs etc that are decades old. Don't try and tell me that they haven't rehearsed all their little anecdotes.

by Shoopie on January 11, 2010 at 02:50 PM

Beckala, just be glad you weren't watching Coastwatch instead. I had it on while cooking (waiting for Bones/Castle double - I'm not proud, I have no IQ by Sunday night and they fit the Silly But Fun quotient very well). Riveting stuff with the minions of fuzzdom writing tickets to people who had caught undersized fish.
I repeat, riveting viewing.
Saw "Sherlock Holmes" on Saturday night, and rather enjoyed it (a few quibbles mainly due to Robert Downey Jr not enunciating - Mr Holmes did not mumble! - and a sluggish middle that made me wish for a remote control) so have returned to the source. Am happily reading "A Study in Scarlet" by Arthur Conan Doyle. Good stuff.

by tqd on January 11, 2010 at 03:10 PM

Re SGU and Supernatural Shirl is apparently silent in the face of some very annoyed fans - no indication on when they will be back and yes em I agree about Supernatural and the eye candy!

by Cathy on January 11, 2010 at 04:35 PM

Shrieky and her odious Bratz bobble head found it on the way to the front of some womens magazine today. Don't they wants people to buy it? Obviously she needs to pimp herself since her futile Idol gig is up in the air, and I can see her lasting 15 minutes in the cut-throat Sydney radio world.
BTW I'm sure I saw TNA on OneHD in the wee small hours this morn, after watching "Dave". I like Kevin Kline.
Prime2 is really 7Two. GO!!!!OMGWTFBBQ!1!1LOL!!! is GO!!!!OMGWTFBBQ!1!1LOL!!! Illawarra down here. Prime obviously felt the need to distinguish itself.
I was an urbanite once. Will be temporarily again tomorrow due a trip to Sydney with the Masters. For said trip, Headrest DVD players are one of the greatest inventions of all time. Their current viewing of choice is the Scooby Doo movie series. How on earth did the 3rd installment pass us all by? And the hideous news they're planning a 4th?

by Bereft Skerrick on January 11, 2010 at 05:52 PM

d@gp: The reason OneHD ended up not showing the Hulkamania tour was due to the company that put the tour together going bankrupt, so they are now trying to flog the footage off to the highest bidder.
And in other FTA wrestling news, 7Two will be screening NWA On Fire from January 21st.

by Gizmo on January 11, 2010 at 07:57 PM

Season 5 of "The Practice" started on Foxtel's 111 last night. Only three seasons (approx 66 eps or 13.2 weeks) before Allan Shore's character appears!!!

by d@gp on January 12, 2010 at 08:17 AM

I think lead-in is the problem for 30 Rock. Benny Hill from about 40 years ago did better than a lot of the new shows on the digital channels.

by J Bar on January 12, 2010 at 11:37 AM

TM
I notice that ch9 news did not make it into the top 8 for Mon 11/01/10. Can you please post the place they achieved and the total viewers. I ask for no other reason than general interest.

Tribal Mind replies: It's a bit diffcult at the moment to find the data you seek, because I am operating on a Blackberry while crossing sydney harbour from manly to circular quay. I will inform you as soon as I can access the mainframe.

by TGO on January 12, 2010 at 12:43 PM

What happened to Nine News last night. Also any figures on Neighbours premiere back for another year.

Tribal Mind replies: Who knew that anyone cd care about Nine News? Problem seems to be different time zones. I will check.

by Guy on January 12, 2010 at 02:11 PM

The LOOOOOOOOONG wait is over - Big Love season 3 starts on SBS tonight! Woo hoo!!
Speaking of Top Gear - does anyone know when SBS's rights run out? And does anybody have any idea when it'll start on Nine? Mr Beckala is stressing out about how Nein will handle it. He is not optimistic that they will do good things with it.

by Beckala on January 12, 2010 at 02:19 PM

I am also interested in the numbers for nine news. Mark Ferguson was pushed aside so that Peter Overton could have his job as the nine news anchor.
Now he is going head to head with Overton after moving to channel seven. I would like to see him do well.

by bobmar28 on January 13, 2010 at 05:22 AM

Big Love certainly doesn't ease you into a new series. Gasps, ohnos & guffaws aplenty last night with a number of interesting storylines to work with. I't's a pity science is now telling us that watching tv would be killing us....who would have thought.
While watching the cricket Ch9 was certainly bashing us over the head that they had Top Gear. The other advert was re the Sydney News...."thankyou Sydney for coming back". Not sure if it was thanks for the viewers coming back again or that the figures had gone up. If the figures went up it was most likely people like us who left Ch9 on after the cricket & forgot to turn it off. Their criteria for what is news is pretty poor compared to ABC.
Only movies over the break were Broken Embraces & Bright Star, both worth a viewing.

by PJ453 on January 13, 2010 at 06:18 AM

I am sick of Nine already promoting Top Gear to death. We all know they have it. And we all know it will suffer under them. Just watch them stick in a million more ads than SBS ever did. And move it all over the schedule trying to suck the life out of it. Beckala, your Mr is right to be worried. So am I.
And whilst I am whinging about over promotion every time I have Ten on I am bombarded with "sneak" previews of the new season of "The Biggest Loser". I am already sick of the show and it hasn't even started yet! Networks should really take not of the expression "less is more." A little taste of a new show is ok. Being struck over the head repeatedly is not!

by em on January 13, 2010 at 07:26 AM

As a long time Survivor fan it is good to see more people come on board, this season has been good so far, and the Heroes Vs Villians sounds good too. What I don't understand is the way Nine promotes survivor, while watching the show you are bombarded with innumerable ads for the show you are watching and for next weeks show. I don't see how advertising to those watching will actually increase the viewer base, we already watch and know when it is on, we are not idiots. But then again I watch things on my PVR and jump the ads anyway, and nine doesn't really have much else I watch. I think Top Gear will bomb on Nine as they won't be able to resist cutting it to shreds to squeeze in as many ads as they can.

by ned on January 13, 2010 at 08:14 AM

My love affair with Top Gear ends on Monday night, which I think is the last night SBS has screening rights. Just plain refuse to watch it on a full blown commercial station. This currrent (albeit 2004) series has been great and fills a complete hour with just several discrete commercial breaks. Cant see how Nein can inject an additional 10 mins of commercials (most programs run 41-42 mins) plus ads and maintain any sort of program integrity. Any I want to see from now I will obtain from alternate sources. Dont watch anything on Nein now and not about to start. They dont care about us as a viewer, so I reciprocate. (and dont get me started on that cross-promotion ad-nauseum that fills every Nein sports telecast - it is like fingernails on a blackboard)

by ozinoz on January 13, 2010 at 10:11 AM

There's an awfully large billboard on the right as you head south through the Sydney Airport tunnel. With a big headshot of Clarkson, trumpeting the arrival of Top Gear on Nein.
Just 50m down the road, replacing the "Packed to the Rafters" with a kitsch clothesline sticking out from it, there's a lovely new billboard from 7 for My MasterchefRipOff Rules, barracking for the NSW contestants. Interesting to note the ads on NSW TV are pitting NSW vs Victoria. The QLD team ads I saw seemed more non committal to state vs state conflict.

by Bereft Skerrick on January 13, 2010 at 10:12 AM

ned: did you notice on the ads for last nights survivor during the week and in the 1st ep that they showed tribal council with jaison wearing the immunity necklace!!!!! argh
fellow supernatural watchers cathy and em i just bought season 4 so will gorge on that while waiting for news

by Jac on January 13, 2010 at 10:18 AM

Mrs Beckala, tell Mr Beckala to download and watch Top Gear - you get the full show, with no ads (and can watch it at your leisure, not when Ch 9 finally decide to air it).
As mentioned previously, I couldn't stand the thought of Clarkson et al being cut to shreds in order to fit 20 minutes of adverts into a 60 minute show, so bit the bullet over Xmas and ate into my download limit - smacking my wrist for being naughty as I type ;)

by rob1966 on January 13, 2010 at 12:55 PM

rob1966, may have to take your advice. 2010 may have to be the year the Beckala household learns how to download. Have avoided this up til now, but so many shows are just either taking too long to get here (Big Love, now a full season behind), or are aired once and taken off the air forever.

by Beckala on January 13, 2010 at 05:54 PM

I'm watching the current NBC Tonight Show debacle with interest. From what I understand: sometime last decade Jay Leno declared he'd retire in 2009 and hand over the reigns to Conan O'Brien. The handover happens but Leno comes back to TV, and fails miserably. From the sound of it, NBC executives want to put him back in his old timeslot, and Conan doesn't want to budge. Is this correct? And truly, are our own gibbons so bad when this sort of gibbonry goes on overseas?

by Bereft Skerrick on January 13, 2010 at 09:48 PM

Top Gear on NINE i think will be introduced by Shane Warne & only be a selection of segments deemed suitable for Australia to fill 40 mins & will not include the super critical Clarkson car reviews like the BMW one in the last episode of the current series, in the UK.The Top Gear Event show will coincide so expect some promos & cross promotion from 9.

by harry2000 on January 13, 2010 at 10:41 PM

I was watching a bit of the Hopman Cup on the ABC over the weekend. Forgot how nice it was to watch sport without ad breaks every few minutes, without the commentators cross-promoting every future TV show the network is showing, without huge banners promoting the same programs at the bottom of the screen, and without the odds coming up. Well done Aunty. Oh forgot, because it was Britain V Spain, did not have all the jingoism that goes with commercial commentators.

by Louise on January 14, 2010 at 09:50 AM

Well TM, the best series of the summer I have to exclude Foxtel and SBS which thankfully ignore all of the ratings bullshit and air quality shows over summer. The ABC gets a commendable foer showing the odd decent show also.
After only 1 episode, which aired last night, is Getting On. It features one of my favourite comedians who I have not seen in years - the wondefully dry Jo Brand.
No "gags" or a laugh track in sight, but we found ourselves laugjing uproariously several times.
Loved the whole "drama" around the ppo on the chair (which thankfully you never actually saw) but also the head nurse's reaons why she did not write anything on her annual review form.
My other faves for summer have been:
The Fixer (SBS)
Dexter (Showcase) as a dad and now henpecked!
Satisfaction (Showcase)
Hung (Showcase)
The Circuit (SBS)
plus a few one-off or brief shows on ABC such as the Doctor Who special

by Glory Days on January 14, 2010 at 10:57 AM

Top Gear on Nine doesn't bother me too much. It will be a HUGE hit and there is not much I can do about it. What I cannot STAND and am not looking forward to is the cross promotion and fawning that the likes of Kyle, Cameron Williams, Peter Overton, et al will do over the show. Suddenly they will all become rev-heads... Aaaargh.
Over summer I did watch a bit of TV but struggle to pick a series:-
I watched the Commander series, but didn't think they were that good until last nights ep. Sadly it was because the crime was horrific on a little boy. Maybe the average run of the mill murder doesn't get me involved as much - that too is sad.
And SEVEN are the worst at cross-promotion during the tennis. The ad for Desparate housewives comes on the screen during a change of ends. Back to Jim Courier who casually says this is the best series ever. JA agrees but has no clue. It just irks me more than Nines efforts.

by Tim on January 14, 2010 at 11:14 AM

I won't be watching Top Gear on Nine, but I've slipped into being a fairly unreliable watcher of it on SBS, so I don't think anyone will care. But the death knell for me was this from Harry2000: Top Gear on NINE i think will be introduced by Shane Warne.
Please let it not be so. My very skin is crawling at the thought. I can't say why I have such a visceral reaction to the thought of Warnie taking on hosting duties, but... ick.
I haven't been watching much TV of late, but now that we're being asked about favourite series, I do have to say: "John Adams" on SBS. But a big Thank You to ABC for repeating "Beautiful People" and to Ten for repeating "Glee" (for those of us who were late to the party).
And I should have lurked around here earlier, I had no idea that "Big Love" was returning. Dagnabbit.

by tqd on January 14, 2010 at 12:38 PM

The best things on TV this summer have to be on Foxtel. Like Dexter and new eps of Satisfaction . Have also watched a fair bit of History channel like "Life after People" and Tony Robinsons "Crime & Punishment." Also , though it just started, "The No 1 Women's Detective Agency" is just brilliant. I just love the characters in it and the wonderful music. It really is a joyous show and such a change from American crap. I thoroughly recommend it.
As for commercial TV the only thing I have watched is Survivor Samoa which has been pretty interesting due to Evil Russell. Other than that there has been slim pickings. A few things on ABC, like the Dr Who special and Denton's Elders (though I have seen some of them before). ER when I can find it and when it is on. Slim pickings really with few gems. Typical summer.

by em on January 14, 2010 at 01:08 PM

TM - the best series over summer have ofcourse been on the ABC & SBS, or is that just the bleedin obvious!!
Franceso's Mediterranean Voyage (ABC) - didn't know those watery Venitians "ruled" so much of the central/east Med. Certainly has made us want to go to these far off shores & see these ancient cultures / scenery & peoples. Not that we could afford a yachet like the Black Swan.
Beautiful People (ABC,repeat from ABC2) In my top 10 shows of 2009. Now if they can only repeat Being Human.
John Adams (SBS) - ok it's been pretty dry & a tad slow, but has been facinating seeing how the government of the US started.
James & Oz Wine Tour (SBS) - James May at his best, not only has it been entertaining but it also has been educational.
Glory Days certainly agree about Getting On, will be penciled in for weekly watching.

by PJ453 on January 14, 2010 at 01:45 PM

TM, how go the ratings for "The Colbare Repore" aka The Colbert Report. It might take a time to gain an audience since, well, Fox is not as dominant in Oz as the US (ABC Mon-Fri 7.30)

Tribal Mind replies: I only get the Pay TV ratings on Mondays, for the preceding week. Can you kindly remind me on Monday?

by Furlozza on January 14, 2010 at 03:42 PM

PJ453 ABC is repeating Being Human on the main channel - was on last night 10.40 pm. Was a few eps in too.
For me the shows I regularly will watch are ER, Fringe, Ugly Betty and the final fedw episodes of the Unit - all on the second digital channels. Have recorded John Adams but not watched yet - also have a stockpile of Heroes to watch over the next few weeks of all sport all the time and I also have the first series of True Blood on DVD to enjoy.

by Cathy on January 14, 2010 at 03:48 PM

Mr Dale, I think you misunderstood Furlozza's question. The Colbert Report is on every weekday at 7:30pm on ABC2, as well as whatever Pay TV channel it's been on for a while now.
Of course, I thought it was only on Tuesdays until Furlozza mentioned otherwise. Kicking myself for not realising.

Tribal Mind replies: Aha. I will include it in tomorrow's ratings then.

by tqd on January 14, 2010 at 08:09 PM

Caught Being Human myself last eve, didn't realise the werewolf is Alonso Frame from Doctor Who's version of The Titanic.

by Bereft Skerrick on January 14, 2010 at 08:51 PM

For me the best series on TV over summer has been a sitcom called 'Gary unmarried' on channel seven.

by bobmar28 on January 15, 2010 at 05:18 AM

About "Being Human". JB's had the whole series on DVD for $29.95 before Christmas as I bought it for my daughter for a present. I don't know if it is still at that price. I read somewhere recently that they are currently making a series 2. Haven't heard when it will be shown here.

by em on January 15, 2010 at 07:11 AM

I also have been enjoying Dexter & Satisfaction on foxtel. Can anyone tell me if foxtel is showing old series of survivor (& on which channel). my search function doesn't seem to work since the relaunched foxtel..

by Danna on January 15, 2010 at 08:51 AM

Agree with Getting On and also like The Old Guys - ABC1 Friday at 8pm.

by Tim on January 15, 2010 at 09:54 AM

Even though it's been in repeats, 30 Rock has been my favourite summer series. Nip Tuck has also been a good watch on GO!

by Brodie on January 15, 2010 at 11:06 AM

The Wire on ABC2. Luvin The Wire.

by Wendell on January 15, 2010 at 01:34 PM

Summer faves have been The Circuit (SBS), My Place (ABC3), Satisfaction & Hung (Showcase), Ugly Betty & Not Going Out (7Two), Beautiful People & Chandon Pictures (ABC1), repeats of 30 Rock (7) and The Graham Norton Show (UKTV and ABC2), How Not To Live Your Life and Taking the Flak (ABC2).
Also discovered a lifestyle show called "Peter Perfect" on The Style Network. I don�t usually watch these types of makeover shows but this one is quite funny and interesting. It features a flamboyant Brit stylist named Peter Ishkhans doing makeovers on American businesses and workers. It�s a bit like a Queer Eye for the Straight Small Business. They�ve only made two short series and it�s constantly repeated in different slots. One of the Free to Air Networks should grab this show. Ideal for Ten or 7-7Two.

by J Bar on January 15, 2010 at 02:33 PM

Inside the Actor's Studio on ABC2 has been my favourite "new" discovery - I used to be able to watch it on Ovation but since our damn apartment block doesn't allow Foxtel (despite one of our residents getting it connected, then submitting A NOTE FROM HIS MOTHER to try to convince them to allow it to stay) I've been missing out until I discovered it on ABC2. Ricky Gervais was on last weekend and was just outstanding, which I think I already commented on last week, but he was just so hilarious - quite often the actors are asked to speak to the interviewer "in character" and will usually take a few minutes to get into character - Gervias said - "right, into character (pauses for about 1.5 seconds) - There we go!!". Many other funny moments but cannot share them here (involving crude swear words etc).
Also - GLEE!! Yes, I have seen them all, but dammit, love seeing it again - Sue Sylvester gets better on second viewings. I think she should be the replacement for Simon Cowell on American Idol next season...
Now that Big Love has returned finally, that will be my other summer fave - but in a way it has been even before it hit air, because I've been watching S1 and S2 on dvd in preparation. I WAS enjoying Malcolm in the Middle, until Channel 10 decided to give it the 2 1/2 men treatment, including showing up to 5 episodes a day, urgh. So now when I see an ep, I just get frustrated at the thought of other shows that were shifted to allow it so much airtime.
Meanwhile - my best friend's sister is going to be on Channel 10's Saving Babies - and her episodes have apparently been delayed because of the "brilliant" programming decision of Channel 10 - let's replay all 5 Neighbours episodes of each week on a Saturday afternoon - for the next two weeks. They are calling it an 'encore screening' - I don't know anyone who would ever request a Neighbours episode to air again, which is the definition of an "encore" - an audience request for more!! Same as I don't know anybody who would go online to see an episode they had missed...
Was having drinks with a friend, and we have come up with a great topic for a new 20 to 1 - Matthew Newton's 20 greatest stuff-ups. Can you imagine the insights Melissa Tkautz, Plugger and Sami Lukis will bring to the topic? Or the wonderful puns Bert could bring. Oh behave!!
Apologies for overt cynicism today - rough day...

by Beckala on January 15, 2010 at 05:39 PM

Peter Perfect is my guilty reality television pleasure too.

by Penelope on January 16, 2010 at 01:40 PM

COUNT DUCKULA!!!!!! Now if I knew this had been on it would have been one of my guilty pleasures! Nursey!!!!

by Bereft Skerrick on January 16, 2010 at 05:48 PM

My choice for tops shows of the summer are defo the Brit comedies on ABC and ABC2. A very botoxed (or plastic) Ruby Wax on Taking The Flak was a highlight. Heaps good.

by Dazza on January 16, 2010 at 08:17 PM

TM - the mind boggles. What is 'My Gym Partner is a Monkey'? And when does it play, the title makes it sound like GREAT viewing!!

Tribal Mind replies: Sometime on Friday, and I set you the challenge of finding its timeslot, joining the 9,000 Australians who watch it, and reporting back to us.

by Beckala on January 17, 2010 at 08:18 AM

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